Stalk roll and stripper arrangement for corn head

ABSTRACT

A corn head includes plural pairs of first and second laterally spaced rotating stalk rolls each having outer fluting and plural outer arrays of spaced knife members extending along the length of each stalk roll. Corn stalks are directed by rotating pick-up cones each disposed forward of a respective stalk roll into the space between adjacent stalk rolls, where the stalks are directed downwardly through the inter-roll space and are reduced by the cutting action of the rotating knives. Each pick-up cone and its associated stalk roll rotate in opposite directions as do the two stalk rolls. Disposed above and extending along the length of the stalk rolls are a closely spaced upper auger and stripper plate which remove an ear of corn from the stalk and direct the ear to the combine for further processing. A skid plate is disposed adjacent a lower, forward portion of each pick-up cone.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/544,922 filed on Aug. 20, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the harvesting of agriculturalcrops, and is particularly directed to a corn head as used with acombine in the harvesting of corn.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Corn is generally harvested using a corn head 10 as shown in theperspective view of FIG. 1. The corn head 10 is attached to a forward,or leading, end of a combine (not shown in the figure for simplicity)which receives and processes the ears of corn from the corn head. Atypical corn head as shown for the corn head 10 in FIG. 1 includes aleft end 12 and a right end 14 with plural spaced row units 30 disposedtherebetween. Row dividers 16 are displaced through a field such thatthe individual rows of corn are directed into the gaps 18 betweenadjacent row dividers which retrieve, lift and direct the rows of cornstalks toward a respective one of the row units 30. Each row unit 30typically includes the combination of a gathering chain 20 and stripperplates (not shown in FIG. 1 for simplicity) which raise and direct thecrop into the ear separation and conveying chamber of an individual rowunits 30. The stripper plates center the corn plant between a pair ofrotating, fluted stalk rolls for discharge onto the soil. Thecombination of the rotating stalk rolls and stripper plates separate theears of corn from the remainder of the corn plant as the plant isdirected downwardly between the stripper plates and rotating stalk rollsfor discharge onto the soil. The thus separated ears of corn are thenconveyed rearwardly by means of the gathering chains 20 toward and intowhat is commonly referred to as a “feeder house”, which includes atrough 22 disposed generally transverse to the direction of travel ofthe combine and containing a rotating auger 24. Trough 22 is partiallydefined by a rear wall 26 having an opening 28 therein. Auger 24includes first and second flute sections 24 a and 24 b which areconfigured so as to direct ears of corn deposited in trough 22 towardopening 28 in the rear wall 26 of the trough so as to discharge the earsof corn rearwardly in the combine for further processing.

The prior art corn head 10 shown in FIG. 1 suffers form severallimitations. For example, the rotating gathering chains 20 whichdisplace the separated ears of corn rearwardly tend to break due toexcessive loading and foreign objects such as rocks and roots ingestedby the corn head 10. Pieces of the broken gathering chains 12 tend tocontinue on a rearward path in the corn head 10 under the influence ofthe rotating stalk rolls and enter the combine causing damage ordestruction to various combine components and resulting in operationalfailure. The rotating stalk roll is also subject to plugging, orstalling, when dense weeds or wet stalks are ingested. Any of theaforementioned interruptions in operation results in reducedproductivity.

The present invention is intended to overcome the aforementionedlimitations of the prior art by providing a corn head which operateswithout rotating gathering chains and affords protection from impactdamage to, and eliminates clogging of, the pick-up cones in the leadingstage, or crop ingestion portion, of the corn head.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to eliminate theuse of vegetation-gathering chains in a corn head incorporated in acombine.

It is another object of the present invention to facilitate theprocessing of corn stalks in a corn head including the separation andrecovery of the ear of corn and the reduction and discharge of the cornstalk.

A further object of the present invention is to separate an ear of cornfrom a corn stalk by means of a combine corn head during harvesting in areliable, efficient and effective manner without the use ofvegetation-gathering chains in the corn head.

A still further object of the present invention is to increase the speedat which corn is harvested by a combine without reducing the cornrecovery rate.

Yet another object of the present invention is to prevent crop residuefrom accumulating in a combine corn head during harvesting by improvingthe manner in which the corn stalks are separated from an ear of corn,are reduced to small pieces of vegetation, and are discharged form thecombine.

Still another object of the prevent invention is to improve andfacilitate the recovery of corn from down corn stalks lying on theground during harvesting.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a corn head foruse in a combine in the harvesting of corn which is easily adjusted toaccommodate the processing of corn stalks having a wide range ofdiameters and conditions.

The present invention contemplates a row unit for use in a corn headattached to a combine and having the combination of a first auger andelongated trough aligned generally transverse to the direction of travelof the combine, said row unit comprising: first and second cylindricalrotating stalk rolls laterally disposed in closely spaced relation toone another, wherein each stalk roll has an intake end for receivingcorn stalks and an opposed outlet end and the stalk rolls rotate inopposite directions, and wherein each stalk roll includes plural cuttingelements disposed on its outer surface in a spaced manner for reducingthe corn stalks to small pieces, and wherein each stalk roll furtherincludes outer fluting for displacing the corn stalks from the stalkroll's intake end toward its outlet end, and wherein the cuttingelements and the auger urge the corn stalks downward in a space betweensaid first and second stalk rolls; a stripper plate disposed above andin closely spaced relation to the first stalk roll and extendingsubstantially the length of the first stalk roll from its intake end toits outlet end; a second auger disposed above and in closely spacedrelation to the second stalk roll and extending substantially the lengthof the second stalk roll from its input end to its outlet end, whereinthe second auger is further disposed in closely spaced relation to thestripper plate, and wherein the stripper plate removes ears of corn fromthe corn stalks and said auger displaces the thus removed ears of cornrearwardly to the first auger and trough combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended claims set forth those novel features which characterizethe invention. However, the invention itself, as well as further objectsand advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description of a preferred embodiment taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like referencecharacters identify like elements throughout the various figures, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a conventional corn head adaptedfor mounting to a forward portion of a combine as currently used in theharvesting of corn;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a pair of rotating stalk rolls and pick-upcones intended for use in a row unit of a corn head in accordance withthe principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the pair of rotating stalk rolls shown inFIG. 2 which further illustrates the combination of an auger and astripper plate in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 a is a side elevation view of the arrangement of FIG. 3illustrating additional details of the inventive corn head installationon a combine;

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the gear arrangement in the gear boxshown in FIG. 3 used for driving the stalk roll and pick-up conecombinations of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the combination of an auger and a stripperplate for use in removing ears of corn from corn stalks in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 5 a is a simplified schematic diagram for changing the separationdistance between the auger and stripper plate shown in FIG. 5 toaccommodate corn stalks having a range of diameters;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a skid plate disposed adjacent apick-up cone for protecting the pick-up cone from impact damage andpreventing vegetation from plugging of the corn head in accordance withanother aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of the mounting arrangement for the pick-upcone stripper plate shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a simplified side plan view of another embodiment of astripper plate for use with a pick-up cone in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 a is a transverse sectional view of the stripper plate of FIG. 8showing additional details of the stripper plate mounting arrangement;

FIG. 9 is an end-on view of a pair of stalk rolls having plural spacedfluting members disposed thereon each having an integrated knife edgefor reducing vegetation encountered by the stalk roll;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view shown partially in phantom of one ofthe stalk rolls illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an end-on view of a pair of stalk rolls incorporating pluralspaced fluting members having coined edge portions thereon in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of one of the stalk rolls illustratedin FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an upper perspective view of a pair of aligned, closelyspaced stalk rolls in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the pair of stalk rolls shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a front plan view of the pair of stalk rolls shown in FIGS.13 and 14 illustrating the direction of rotation of the stalk rolls;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are respectively front plan and side elevation views ofanother embodiment of a pick-up cone, or rotating transport vane, and amounting arrangement therefor;

FIG. 18 is an upper perspective view of additional details of a stalkroll arrangement in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a simplified schematic illustration of a pair of stalk rollsand a pair of upper stripper bars and a controller for controlling theposition of the stripper bars relative to the two stalk rolls;

FIG. 20 is a side elevation view shown partially in phantom of anotherembodiment of a stalk roll and lower weed stripper bar in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 21 is top plan view of a pair of row divider and row unitcombinations, each having a respective ear retainer attached to an upperportion thereof;

FIG. 22 is a front plan view of a pair of ear retainers adapted formounting to a respective upper portion of a row unit in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of a transport mechanism for directing earsof corn toward a cross auger of a combine in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of yet another embodiment of a transportmechanism for moving ears of corn toward the combine's cross auger inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 25 is a front plan view shown partially in section of a stalk rollarrangement incorporating a pair of compressible, resilient mountingsupports in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a top plan view of a row unit 40incorporating left and right pick-up cones 42 and 44 and left and rightstalk rolls 50 and 52 in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 3is a top plan view of the aforementioned combination of pick-up conesand stalk rolls as well as an auger 64 and a stripper plate 66, also inaccordance with the present invention. FIG. 3 a is a side elevation ofthe arrangement of FIG. 3 illustrating additional details of theinventive corn head installation on a combine.

The left and right pick-up cones 42, 44 include respective outer fluting42 a and 44 a as well as respective generally pointed end portions 42 band 44 b oriented in the direction of travel of the combine. The firstand second pick-up cones 42, 44 are adapted for engaging and liftingcorn stalks lying on the ground and directing these corn stalks into thecombination of the first and second stalk rolls 50 and 52. The left andright pick-up cones 42, 44 are coupled to and supported by left andright structural support members 46 and 48, respectively, which form apart of row unit 40. Left and right pick-up cones 42, 44 rotate inopposite directions so as to direct ingested corn stalks in the spacebetween the two pick-up cones in an upward direction, as well as in aftdirection (or upward as shown in FIG. 3), toward the space 60 betweenupper, adjacent portions of the left and right stalk rolls 50, 52. Asshown in the side elevation view of FIG. 3 a, the combination of theleft pick-up cone 42 and the left stalk roll 50 as well as the rightpick-up cone 44 and the right stalk roll 52 (although the latter twoelements are not shown in the figure) are disposed below the combinationof a row divider 75 and a row crop cover 70 in the corn head. Thecombination of an auger 64 and a stripper plate 66, described in detailbelow, are also disposed beneath the row divider 75 and the row cropcover 70. The ears of corn separated from the corn stalks are providedto the combine transverse auger 56 for delivery to subsequent processingstages 69 in the combine.

The left and right stalk rolls 50, 52 are provided with respectivefluting 50 a, and 50 b extending the length of the stalk rolls andconfigured to move cornstalks in a rearward direction within the rowunit 40. The left and right stalk rolls 50, 52 also rotate in oppositedirections so as to direct corn stalks to the space above and betweenthe two stalk rolls which displace the corn stalk residue to the spacebetween the rotating stalk rolls for discharge on the soil. The flutingof each pick-up cone is in an opposite direction to the fluting of itsassociated stalk roll. Thus, the fluting of the left pick-up cone 42 isopposite in direction to the fluting of the left stalk roll 50, whilethe fluting of the right pick-up cone 44 is opposite in direction to thefluting of the right stalk roll 52. Each pick-up cone also rotates in adirection opposite to that of its associated stalk roll. This can beaccomplished using coaxial drive shafts which are conventional in designand operation and are described in greater detail below.

Also disposed on the outer surface of the left stalk roll 50 are firstand second spaced linear arrays of knives 50 b and 50 c. The spacedlinear arrays of knives 50 b and 50 c are disposed on opposed outerportions of the left stalk roll 50 and are positioned between adjacentportions of the outer fluting 50 a on the left stalk roll. Right stalkroll 52 is similarly provided with fluting 52 a and first and secondarrays of spaced, aligned knives 52 b and 52 c which are disposed onopposed outer portions of the right stalk roll and extend the length ofthe stalk roll. The respective aligned arrays of knives 50 b, 50 c and52 b, 52 c of the left and right stalk rows 50, 52 reduce the ingestedcorn stalks to small pieces of vegetation and direct the reducedvegetation toward the space between the two stalk rollers for dischargedownward from the corn head 40. Left and right structural/supportmembers 46, 48 are respectively coupled to and provide support for theforward portions of the left and right stalk rolls 50, 52. In addition,attached to respective forward portions of the left and right structuralsupport members 46, 48 are left and right skid plates 43 and 45 disposedadjacent the left and right pick-up cones 42 and 44. The configurationand operation of skid plates 43 and 45 is described in detail below.

Row unit 40 further includes the combination of an auger 64 and astripper plate 66 in accordance with the present invention. Auger 64 isprovided with outer fluting 64 a along the length thereof, whilestripper plate 66 is provided with a cutting edge 66 a extending thelength thereof and in facing relation to the auger. The combination ofrotating auger 64 and stripper plate 66 functions to remove by cuttingaction an ear of corn from each corn stalk and to move the thus severedears of corn rearwardly toward a transverse trough within which isdisposed combine auger 56.

Row unit 40 also includes a gear box 54 containing pluralinter-connected gears for converting the rotational displacement of aninput shaft 55 to a rotational motion of the left pick-up cone 42 andleft stalk roll 50, as well as the right pick-up cone 44 and the rightstalk roll 52, and the upper auger 64. A top view of the gears withinthe gear box 54 is shown in FIG. 3, and a front plan view of the gearswithin the gear box is shown FIG. 4.

Input shaft 55 is rotated by the combine and is coupled to and rotates afirst gear 110 and is further connected to and continuous with a firstinner drive shaft in 114. The first inner drive shaft 114 is coupled toand rotates the right pick-up cone 44. First gear 110 is further coupledto and rotationally displaces a second gear 112 which is coupled to asecond inner drive shaft 116. The second inner drive shaft 116 iscoupled to and rotates the left pick-up cone 42. The coupling betweenthe first gear 110 and the second gear 112 is such that the first andsecond gears rotate in opposite directions, as do the first and secondinner drive shafts 114, 116 which rotationally drive the left and rightpick-up cones 42, 44 in opposite directions. A third gear 118 attachedto input shaft 55 is coupled to a fourth gear 122 which is positioned ona coupling shaft 120. Similarly, a fifth gear 124 is positioned on thefirst inner drive shaft 114 and is coupled to a sixth gear 126 alsodisposed on coupling shaft 120. The rotational output of the thirdthrough sixth gears 118-126 is provided to the combination of a seventhgear 128, an eighth gear 130 and a ninth gear 132. Seventh gear 128 iscoupled to an enlarged input drive shaft 52 d of the right stalk roll52. Similarly, ninth gear 132 is connected to an enlarged input driveshaft 50 d of the left stalk roll 50. The manner in which the seventhand ninth gears 128, 132 are coupled together provides oppositedirections of rotation for the left and right stalk rolls 50, 52. Eighthgear 130 is coupled to upper auger 64 for urging ears of corn separatedfrom corn stalks rearwardly toward the combination of trough 68 andtransverse auger 56 described earlier.

Referring to FIG. 5, there are shown an upper plan view of thecombination of auger 54 and the stripper plate 66 and the arrangementfor moving the stripper plate relative to the auger so as to adjust thespace between these two components to accommodate corn stalks having arange of diameters. Additional details of the position adjustingarrangement for the stripper plate 66 are shown in FIG. 5 a. As shown inFIG. 5, auger 64 is provided with outer fluting 64 a for engaging anddisplacing ears of corn as described above and a drive gear 90 forrotationally displacing the auger. Stripper plate 66 is provided with aninner knife edge 66 a and is attached to and supported by first andsecond support arms 92 a and 92 b. First and second support arms 92 a,92 b are respectively coupled by means of first and second couplingbrackets 94 a and 94 b to a rotatable six-sided, or hex, shaft 96. Hexshaft 96 is connected by means of a coupling bracket 102 to a distal endof an extendible rod 98 a of a hydraulic cylinder 98 as shown in FIG. 5a. The opposing end of a hydraulic cylinder 98 is fixedly attached to astructural support member 100 of the corn head. Connected to thehydraulic cylinder 98 are first and second hydraulic lines 104 a and 104b which, in turn, are connected to a hydraulic pressure source/reservoir106. Hydraulic fluid provided under pressure to cylinder 98 via line 104b extends its rod 98 a, while hydraulic fluid under pressure provided tothe cylinder via hydraulic line 104 a retracts the hydraulic cylinderrod. Extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinder's rod 98 acauses rotational displacement of hex shaft 96 about its longitudinalaxis and relative displacement between stripper plate 66 and auger 64.It is in this manner that the space between stripper plate 66 and auger64 may be varied to accommodate corn stalks having different diameters.

A pick-up cone 270 attached to a combine traveling in the direction ofarrow 276 and having a skid plate 272 disposed in closely spacedrelation thereto in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention. As in the previously described embodiments, rotating pick-upcone 270 is provided with outer fluting 270 a and is rotationally drivenby means of a rotating shaft 274 to which it is connected. Rotatingshaft 274 extends through an aperture 285 within a structural supportmember 278 within the corn head. Attached to the structural supportmember 278 is the skid plate 272. Skid plate 272 is preferably comprisedof a unitary structure and includes a forward section 272 a, a lowersection 272 b and an aft section 272 c. The forward section 272 a ofskid plate 272 covers the forward, pointed portion 270 b of the pick-upcone 270, while the skid plate's lower section 272 b covers the lowerportion of the pick-up cone. The skid plate's aft section 272 c isprovided with a pair of apertures 284 and 286 (shown in dotted lineform) and is adapted for mounting to the structural support member 278within the row unit by means of the combination of a first bolt 280 aand first nut 282 a and a second bolt 280 b and a second nut 282 b. Theskid plate's aft section 272 c is further provided with a third aperture285 disposed intermediate the first upper aperture 284 and the secondlower aperture 286. Rotating shaft 274 extends through the intermediateaperture 285 of the skid plate's aft section 272 c. Each of the threeapertures 284, 285 and 286 within the aft section 272 of skid plate 272is vertically elongated so as to allow for changing the spacing betweenpick-up cone 270 and the skid plate's lower section 272 b as shown bythe dotted lines in FIG. 17. The skid plate's forward section 272 a alsoincludes a vertically elongated aperture 288 (also shown in dotted lineform) through which a forward portion of rotating shaft 274 extends toaccommodate vertical adjustment of skid plate 272 relative to pick-upcone 270. A bearing coupler 290 is attached to a forward end of rotatingshaft 274 for securely connecting the rotating shaft to the forwardsection 272 a skid plate 272 while allow the shaft to freely rotate.Skid plate 272 functions to protect pick-up cone 270 from damage ordestruction caused by impact with the ground or with an object in thefield such as a rock. Skid plate 272 also prevents weeds and othervegetation on the surface of the soil, including wet corn stalks, fromclogging the pick-up cone 270 as well as its associated stalk rolldisposed aft of the pick-up cone.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a side plan view of anotherembodiment of a skid plate installation 136 in accordance with thepresent invention. Skid plate installation 136 connects a generallyelongated, angled skid plate 138 to first and second structural supportmembers 140 and 144. The first and second structural support members140, 144 are shown in FIG. 8 as being two separate members, but couldequally as well be different portions of the same structural supportmember. Skid plate 138 includes a forward section 138 a, a lower section138 b and an aft section 138 c. The forward section 138 a of skid plate138 is disposed adjacent the leading, pointed end portion of a pick-upcone which is not shown in the figure for simplicity. The lower section138 b of skid plate 138 is disposed adjacent a lower, forward portion ofthe rotating pick-up cone. The aft section 138 c of skid plate 138 iscoupled by means of a nut and bolt combination 142 to the firststructural support member 140. The skid plate's aft section 138 c isfurther coupled to the second structural support section 144 by means ofa U-bolt installation 146. A sectional view of the skid plateinstallation 136 is shown in FIG. 8 a and illustrates additional detailsof the coupling of the skid plate 138 to the second structural supportmember 144. The second structural support member 144 is provided with apair of apertures, each adapted to receive a respective linear portionof U-bolt 147. First and second nuts 148 a and 148 b are used to attachthe U-bolt 147 to the second structural support member 144. Skid plate138 is disposed between a lower surface of the second support member 144and the curved portion of U-bolt 147, with space provided between theskid plate and the curved portion of the U-bolt to allow the skid plateto be displaced in the directions of arrow 150 upon impact with anobstruction in the filed. Allowing the skid plate 138 to be deflected ina vertical direction upon impact with an obstruction allows the impactforce to be transferred via the skid plate to the structure of the cornhead thus increasing the operating lifetime of the skid plate.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a pair of stalk rolls 160 and 162incorporating plural spaced fluting members thereon in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention. The first stalk roll 160rotates in the direction of arrow 166, while the second stalk roll 162rotates in a second, opposed direction shown by direction arrow 168.Disposed adjacent lower portions of the first and second stalk rolls160, 162 are respective first and second weed strippers 170 and 172which remove excess vegetation from the stalk rolls and prevent cloggingof the stalk rolls as described above.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the first stalk roll 160 shownpartially in phantom. The following discussion is limited to the firststalk roll 160, as the second stalk roll 162 is the same as the firststalk roll in configuration and operation. First stalk roll 160 includesan elongated, generally cylindrical inner shaft 164 having plural spacedfluting members disposed about its outer periphery and extending thelength thereof. It is by means of these fluting members that therotating stalk roll 160 displaces ingested vegetation in the directionof arrow 174 toward the combine feeder house (not shown for simplicity).First, second, third and fourth fluting members 176, 178, 180 and 182are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Additional fluting members are disposedalong the remaining length of the first stalk roll 160 as shown in FIG.10, but only the four aforementioned fluting members are visible in theend-on view of the first stalk roll shown in FIG. 9 and only the fouraforementioned fluting members are described in detail herein. Eachfluting member extends outwardly from the stalk roll's inner shaft 164in proceeding from a first end to a second, upraised end which includesa cutting knife edge. Thus, first fluting member 176 terminates in afirst cutting knife edge 176 a. Similarly, second, third and fourthfluting members 178, 180 and 182 respectively terminate in second, thirdand fourth cutting knife edges 178 a, 180 a and 182 b. The upraised,flat cutting knife edges 176 a-182 a of each of these fluting memberssever the ingested vegetation to small particle size to facilitatedischarge of the thus reduced vegetation to the soil. In addition, theflat portions of each of the of the four cutting knife edges 176 a-182 afacilitate displacement of the vegetation about each of the first andsecond stalk rolls 160, 162 to the space located between the stalk rollsfor discharge from the stalk rolls onto the soil. The configuration ofthe first through fourth fluting members 176-182 thus allows therotating stalk rolls 160, 162 to ingest additional amounts of vegetationwithout clogging or delaying the separation of the ears of corn from thecorn stalks.

Referring to FIG. 11, there is an end-on view of yet another embodimentof a pair of stalk rolls 190, 191 in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention. Stalk rolls 190, 191 differ from stalk rolls 160and 162 shown in FIG. 9 only in the cutting edge portions of theirfluting members and stalk rolls 190 and 191 are identical inconfiguration and operation. Therefore, only the cutting edge portionsof stalk roll 190 are described in detail. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 11 and FIG. 12, wherein stalk roll 160 is viewed from the spacebetween the two stalk rolls as viewed in FIG. 11, stalk roll 190 isprovided with four fluting members 192, 194, 196 and 198 equally spacedaround its outer periphery. The configuration and operation of each ofthese four fluting members will be described in terms of the firstfluting member 192, as all of these fluting members are configured andoperate similarly. First fluting member 192 includes a first innersection 192 a and a second outer section 192 b. Disposed between andconnecting the first inner section 192 a and the second outer section192 b is a third intermediate section 192 c. The third intermediatesection 192 is generally transverse to the first inner and second outersections 192 a and 192 b. This offset spacing of the first inner andsecond outer sections 192 a, 192 b provides the first fluting member 192with a step configuration which enhances the engagement of the flutingmembers on the rotating stalk roll with the ingested vegetation so as tofacilitate rearward movement of the vegetation toward the combine feederhouse and discharge of the reduced vegetation through the inter-stalkroll space. While each of the fluting members 192-198 is described interms of a first inner section, a second outer section and a thirdintermediate section, each of the fluting members is preferablycomprised of a unitary structure formed of a single piece of highstrength coined metal and is tapered in proceeding from its coined edgeportion rearwardly toward the combine feeder house as in the previouslydescribed embodiments. While the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 andFIGS. 11 and 12 include plural, spaced fluting members disposed aboutthe outer portion and extending the length of the stalk roll, thepresent invention is not limited to this configuration. The presentinvention also contemplates plural fluting members disposed about theouter portion of the stalk roll, with each of the circumferentiallyspaced fluting members also extending the full length of the stalk rolland not arranged in the form of plural spaced fluting members disposedalong the length of the stalk roll.

Referring to FIGS. 13, 14, and 15, there are respectively shown upperperspective, top plan and front plan views of a stalk roll arrangement200 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.Stalk roll arrangement 200 includes first and second laterally spacedstalk rolls 202 and 204. Each of the stalk rolls preferably has arespective fluted pick-up cone attached to its forward end as in thepreviously described embodiments, but these are not shown in FIGS. 13,14 and 15 as these components have been fully described above. The firststalk roll 202 includes first and second spiral fluting 206 and 208disposed about its outer periphery and extending between its opposedends. Similarly, the second stalk roll 204 includes third and fourthspiral fluting 210 and 212 disposed about its outer peripheral andextending from its forward end to its aft end. As in the previouslydescribed embodiments, the first and second spiral fluting 206, 208 onthe first stalk roll 202 and the third and fourth spiral fluting 210,212 and the second stalk roll 204 allow the two stalk rolls to directears of corn along the length of the stalk rolls in the direction ofarrow 214 shown in FIG. 14 from an input end of the stalk rolls to itsopposed output end during rotation of the stalk rolls. As shown in FIG.15, the two stalk rolls are rotationally driven in opposite directions,with the first stalk roll 202 rotating in the direction of arrow 238 andthe second stalk roll 204 rotating in the direction of arrow 240.

First and second spiral fluting 206, 208 of the first stalk roll 202 aredisplaced 180° from one another about the outer circumferential lateralsurface of the stalk roll. Similarly, third and fourth spiral fluting210, 212 are disposed 180° from one another on the outer circumferentiallateral surface of the second stalk roll 204. Thus, for the case of thefirst stalk roll 202 shown in FIG. 13, in proceeding downwardly in thefigure, a first portion 206 a of first spiral fluting 206 is shown,followed by a second portion 208 a of the stalk roll's second spiralfluting 208. A first portion of the stalk roll's second spiral fluting208 is not shown in FIG. 13 because it is positioned on a lower portionof the first stalk roll 202 as viewed in FIG. 13 and is thus notvisible. Similarly, a second portion of the stalk roll's first spiralfluting 206 is not shown in FIG. 13 because it is positioned on a lowersurface portion of the first stalk roll 202 as viewed in this figure andis also not visible.

Each spiral fluting includes a series of four flat portions which arerepeated throughout the length of the fluting along the entire length ofthe associated stalk roll as shown for the case of the second stalk roll204 in FIG. 14. Thus, first, second, third and fourth flat portions 228,230, 232 and 234 of the fourth spiral fluting 212 on the second stalkroll 204 are connected together in a nonlinear manner about the secondstalk roll so as to provide a step-like spiral arrangement about thestalk roll. The first and third flat portions 228 and 232 are alignedalong the length, or rotational axis, of the second stalk roll 204. Thesecond and fourth flat portions 230 and 234 of fourth spiral fluting 212are aligned at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the secondstalk roll 204 in the direction in which ears of corn are displaced,i.e., in the direction of arrow 214. Due to the rotation of the firstand second stalk rolls 202, 204, the first and third flat portions 228,232 of the fourth spiral fluting 212 (and similar flat portions of thethird spiral fluting 210 on the second stalk roll as well as the firstand second spiral flutings 206, 208 on the first stalk roll), corn plantresidue is displaced in the direction of arrows 238 and 240 shown inFIG. 15 to the space between the two rotating stalk rolls. On the otherhand, the second and fourth flat portions 230, 234 of the fourth spiralfluting 212 (as well as corresponding angled flat portions of the thirdspiral fluting 210 on the second stalk roll 204 and on the first andsecond spiral flutings 206, 208 of the first stalk roll 202) urge theears of corn in the direction of arrow 214 in FIG. 14 toward the outputend of the pair of rotating stalk rolls. Thus, the spiral flutingdisposed about the outer peripheral of each of the first and secondstalk rolls 202, 204 displaces crop residue to the space between the tworotating stalk rolls for discharge onto the ground, while simultaneouslydisplacing the ears of corn rearwardly toward the output end of thestalk rolls to the combine's elongated transverse trough describedabove.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the flat portions of the fluting alignedwith the longitudinal axis of its associated stalk roll are very thin ina preferred embodiment. Thus, flat portions 228, 232 of the fluting onthe second stalk roll 204 and flat portions 206 c, 208 c on the firststalk roll 202 are in the form of a very thin member having a sharpenedouter edge. The sharpened outer edge of each of these flat portions ofthe fluting on the stalk which are aligned with the stalk roll'slongitudinal axis serve not only to displace the crop residue toward thespace between the two rotating stalk rolls, but also cut and reduce thesize of the crop residue to facilitate its discharge between the stalkrolls on to the ground and promote its decomposition in a field. Also asshown in FIG. 13, the individual fluting sections are securely attachedto the outer periphery of the first and second stalk rolls 202, 204 bymeans of plural tabs attached to the fluting through which a respectivecoupling pin is inserted and securely connected to the stalk roll. Thus,the first and second spiral fluting 206, 208 on the first stalk roll 202are securely mounted to the outer periphery of the stalk roll by meansof respective plural combinations of a first tab 226 a and firstmounting pin, or bolt, 224 a, and a second tab 226 b and a secondmounting pin 224 b. Similarly, the first and second spiral fluting 210,212 on the second stalk roll 204 are securely mounted to the outerperiphery of the stalk roll by means of respective plural combinationsof a first tab 227 a and first mounting pin 225 a and a second tab 227 band second mounting pin 225 b. These tabs are attached in a spacedmanner along substantially the entire length of each of the flutingsections for securely attaching the fluting sections to a stalk roll.Finally, each of the mounting tabs is preferably attached to an aftportion of the fluting, i.e., in a direction opposite to that in whichthe ears of corn are displaced by the fluting, to minimize contactbetween the ears of corn and the mounting tab and coupling pincombinations and reduce wear on the mounting tabs and coupling pinsresulting from this contact.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, there are respectively shown front planand side elevation views of a pick-up cone, or rotating transport vane,270 and a mounting arrangement therefore in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention. Pick-up cone 270 includes fluting270 a on its outer peripheral surface and a pointed, forward end portion270 b. Pick-up cone 270 is adapted for secure mounting to a structuralsupport member 278 disposed in a forward portion of a corn head (notshown). Pick-up cone 270 is oriented such that its pointed, forward endportion 270 b is oriented in the direction of travel of the combine asshown by direction arrow 276.

Pick-up cone 270 is rotated by means of a drive shaft 274 extendingthrough an elongated aperture 278 a in structural support member 278 andan aligned elongated mounting slot 285 within an aft section 272 c of anadjustable skid plate 272. Pick-up cone 270 is protected duringoperation from impact damage caused by rocks or heavy debris within afield traversed by the combine by means of the adjustable skid plate272. Skid plate 272 includes a forward section 272 a, a lower section272 b and the aforementioned aft section 272 c. The skid plate's aftsection 272 c includes three elongated slots 284, 285 and 286. Mountingbolts 280 a and 280 b attached to structural support member 278 areinserted through respective elongated slots 284 and 286. These twoelongated slots in combination with elongated aperture 285 through whichthe rotating drive shaft 274 extends allow for vertical adjustment ofskid plate 272 as shown by the dotted lines in a lower portion of FIG.17. By varying the vertical position of adjustable skid plate 272, thespacing between the skid plate and pick-up cone 270 may be adjusted foroptimum residue clearing performance and protection of the rotatingpick-up cone depending upon conditions in the field in which the combineis operating.

The forward section 272 a of adjustable skid plate 272 is also providedwith an elongated slot 288 adapted to receive the distal end of therotating drive shaft 274. The distal end of rotating drive shaft 274 issecurely attached to the skid plate's forward section 272 a by means ofa bearing coupler 290 which is coupled to the end of drive shaft 274 andprovides a bearing surface to facilitate rotation of the drive shaftwhile engaging the forward section 272 a of the adjustable skid plate272 to securely attach the drive shaft to the skid plate.

Referring to FIG. 18, there is shown an upper perspective view ofanother embodiment of a stalk roll arrangement 296 in accordance withthe principles of the present invention. Stalk roll arrangement 296includes first and second stalk rolls 298 and 300 disposed in a closelyspaced manner and arranged in parallel alignment and adapted forrotational displacement by means of a drive assembly 318. As in thepreviously described embodiment, the first stalk roll 298 includes firstand second spiral fluting 302 and 304 disposed about its outer peripheryand extending substantially the entire length of the stalk roll.Similarly, the second stalk roll 300 includes third and fourth spiralfluting 310 and 312 disposed about its outer periphery and extendingsubstantially its entire length. Disposed adjacent a forward end of thefirst stalk roll 298 is a first plant residue pick-up cone 299, whiledisposed adjacent a forward end of the second stalk roll 300 is a secondplant residue pick-up cone 301. As in the previously describedembodiment, each of the aforementioned fluting sections is attached to arespective stalk roll by means of the combination of a mounting tab 306and coupling pin, such as a bolt or screw, 308 such as shown on thefirst stalk roll 298. The direction of travel of stalk arrangement 296,which is typically attached to the forward portion of a combine, duringoperation in a field is shown by direction arrow 344.

The first and second stalk rolls 298, 300 and the first and secondpick-up cones 299, 301 are rotationally displaced by means of driveassembly 318 in the following manner. The first pick-up cone 299 iscoupled to a first inner drive shaft 328, while the first stalk roll 298is coupled to a first outer drive shaft 322. The first inner drive shaft328 is coaxially disposed within and extends along the length of thefirst outer drive shaft 322. Similarly, the second pick-up cone 301 iscoupled to a second inner drive shaft 342, while the second stalk roll300 is coupled to a second outer drive shaft 336. The second inner driveshaft 342 is coaxially disposed within and extends along the length ofthe second outer drive shaft 336. A first drive gear 320 is coupled toan aft end of the first outer drive shaft 322, while a second drive gear334 is coupled to an aft end of the second outer drive shaft 336.Engaging the first and second drive gears 320, 334 is a first inputdrive gear 324 for rotationally displacing each of the first and seconddrive gears and each of the first and second outer drive shafts 322,336. The first input drive gear 324 is coupled to a first input driveshaft 326 which, in turn, is coupled to a source of rotary displacement,such as a hydraulic motor, which is conventional in design and operationand is not shown in the figure for simplicity. Rotation of the firstinput drive gear 324 will result in rotation of both the first andsecond drive gears 320, 334, but in opposite directions. Thus, rotationof the first input drive gear 324 in a direction so as to rotationallydisplace the first stalk roll 298 in the direction of arrow 314 willresult in an opposite rotation of the second stalk roll 300 in thedirection of arrow 316. Thus, the first and second stalk rolls 298, 300rotate so as to direct plant residue to the space located between andabove the two stalk rolls permitting the stalk rolls to reduce plantresidue and discharge it between the two stalk rolls to the ground.

A second input drive gear 330 coupled by means of a second input driveshaft 332 to a source of rotary power (not shown) engages the third andfourth drive gears 338, 340. Rotational displacement of the third andfourth drive gears 338, 340 results in corresponding rotation of thefirst and second inner drive shafts 328 and 342. As in the case of thefirst and second drive gears 320, 334, rotation of the second inputdrive gear 330 results in opposite rotation of the first and secondinner drive shafts 328 and 342. This gives rise to rotation of the firstand second pick-up cones 299, 301 in opposite directions as shown bydirection arrows 356 and 358 in FIG. 18. It is in this manner that thefirst and second stalk rolls 298, 300 may be simultaneously rotated inopposite directions, with the first and second pick-up cones 299, 301also simultaneously rotated in opposite directions, with each pick-upcone also rotated in a direction opposite to that of its associatedstalk roll.

Referring to FIG. 19, there is a shown a simplified schematic diagram ofthe stalk roll arrangement of FIG. 18 including the first and secondstalk rolls 298 and 300. Also shown in FIG. 19 are first and secondupper stripper bars 348 and 350 disposed immediately above the first andsecond stalk rolls 298, 300, respectively. Each of the first and secondupper stripper bars 348, 350 is mounted in the combine head in a movablemanner which permits the two upper stripper bars to be displaced in thedirections of arrow 354. Thus, the first and second upper stripper bars348, 350 may be moved toward each other or away from each other asdictated by harvesting conditions. Each of the first and second upperstripper bars 340, 350 is coupled to a stripper bar position controller352 which allows for either moving the two upper stripper bars closertogether or further apart as dictated by harvesting conditions. Stripperbar position controller 352 may be conventional in design and operationand may be in the form of a mechanically operated system, a hydraulicpowered system or an electric powered system. The system controller maybe manually actuated or computer controlled.

Referring to FIG. 20, there is shown a side elevation view partially inphantom of a stalk roll arrangement 360 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention. Stalk roll arrangement 360 isintended for installation in a combine head, where the combine duringoperation moves in the direction of arrow 366. Stalk roll arrangement360 includes a pair of side-by-side stalk rolls arranged in parallelsuch as shown in FIG. 18, where only a single stalk roll 362 is shown inFIG. 20 for simplicity. As in the previously described embodiments,stalk roll 362 includes first and second spiral fluting 362 a and 362 bdisposed about its outer periphery and extending substantially theentire length of the stalk roll. Disposed adjacent a forward end ofstalk roll 362 is a plant pick-up cone 364, also as previouslydescribed. Stalk roll 362 is coupled to the combination of a first drivegear 370 and a first outer drive shaft 372 for imparting rotationaldisplacement to the stalk roll. Similarly, pick-up cone 364 is coupledto the combination of a second drive gear 374 and a second inner driveshaft 376 for imparting rotational displacement to the pick-up cone.Disposed immediately above and aligned generally parallel with stalkroll 362 is an upper stripper bar 368. A similar arrangement would beprovided for a second stalk roll disposed in a closely spaced, lateralposition relative to stalk roll 362 as in the previously describedembodiments.

Stalk roll 362 is attached to the combine head by means of a weedstripper bar/skid plate combination 378. An aft end portion of thestripper bar/skid plate 378 is mounted to a combine head structuralmember 380 by means of mounting members 382, which in the embodimentshown in FIG. 20 is a nut and bolt combination. Stripper bar/skid plate378 extends forwardly in the direction of travel of arrow 366 from thecombine head. Stripper bar/skid plate 378 includes an elongated, linearstripper bar portion 378 a which is adapted to remove weeds from therotating stalk roll 362 and allow the weeds to drop to the ground.Stripper bar/skid plate 378 further includes a forward skid plateportion 378 c closely spaced in relation to the rotating pick-up cone364. Stripper bar/skid plate 378 provides support for the leading end ofpick-up cone 364 and protects the pick-up cone from impact damagearising from contact with obstructions in the field such as rocks,debris and roots. Stripper bar/skid plate 378 further includes anupwardly extending mounting plate 378 b which allows for attachment of aforward portion of stalk roll 362 and an aft portion of pick-up cone 364to the stripper bar/skid plate by means of the combination of a couplingplate 384 and first and second mounting bolts 386 and 388. Although notshown in FIGS. 18, 19 and 20, or in the earlier described figures, theauger stripper arrangements described herein would preferably be used incombination with slip clutches coupled to the stalk rolls and perhaps tothe pick-up cones for removing the rotational drive input to thesevarious components in the event an obstruction in a field, such as arock, becomes wedged against one of the aforementioned rotatingcomponents to prevent damage to or breakage of a component of the augerstripper arrangements disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 21, there is shown a top plan view of a combination ofa first row divider 400 attached to a front portion of a first row unit404 and a second row divider 402 attached to a front end portion of asecond row unit 406. Disposed between the first and second row units404, 406 is an inter-row unit space 410 through which ears of corn aredirected rearwardly for deposit in the combine's cross auger 408, aspreviously described.

In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, first and secondear of corn retainers 412 and 414 are attached to respective upper,forward portions of the first and second row units 404, 406. Each of thefirst and second ear retainers 412, 414 is designed to substantiallyspan the inter-row unit space 410 adjacent respective forward portionsof the first and second row units 404, 406 to prevent ears of corn frombeing deflective forwardly toward the first and second row dividers 400,402. The first and second ear retainers 412, 414 thus prevent ears ofcorn from escaping the inter-row unit space 410 and ensure that the earsof corn are directed rearwardly as previously described for deposit inthe combine's cross auger 408. The first ear retainer 412 is attached toan upper portion of the first row unit 404 by means of a combination ofa first mounting plate 416 and a first mounting bolt 420. Similarly, thesecond ear retainer 414 is attached to an upper portion of the secondrow divider 406 by means of a combination of a second mounting plate 418and second mounting bolt 422. FIG. 22 is a front plan view of the firstand second ear retainers 412, 414 as positioned in closely spacedrelation on upper portions of the first and second row units 404, 406.The first ear retainer 412 is provided with a first aperture 412 a,while the second ear retainer 414 is provided with a second aperture 414a, where each of the apertures is adapted to receive a respectivemounting bolt for attaching the ear retainers to respective upperportions of the first and second row units. The first and second earretainers 412, 414 are preferably comprised of a flexible, resilientmaterial such as of rubber or plastic, while the first and secondmounting plates 414, 416 are preferably comprised of metal for attachingthe ear retainers to the plastic housing of the row units.

Referring to FIG. 23, there is shown a sectional view of a transportmechanism 426 for directing ears of corn in the direction of arrow 262toward the cross auger 434 of a combine in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention. Cross auger 434 rotates in thedirection of arrow 436 for displacing ears of corn within the combinefor the removal of the kernels of corn from the cob portion as in aconventional combine.

Transport mechanism 426 includes a pair of side-by-side stripper barswith only one of the stripper bars, stripper bar 428 shown in FIG. 23for simplicity. Stripper bar 428 has an irregular upper surface shown asincluding plural spaced, inclined notches 428 a on its upper surface.Stripper bar 428 is positioned upon and supported by a compressible,resilient mounting support 430 in accordance with this embodiment of thepresent invention. A spacer 464 is disposed between and in contact withstripper bar 428 and the upper surface of the compressible, resilientmounting support 430. Spacer 464 provides support for stripper bar 428and protects the upper surface of the mounting support 430 fromexcessive wear. Mounting support 430 is comprised of a compressible,resilient material such as rubber or polyurethane which is capable ofbeing compressed in a vertical direction by a force applied to its uppersurface, and resuming its initial size and shape following removal ofthe applied force. The combination of stripper bar 428 and mountingsupport 430 is mounted to a row unit structural number 432 by means offirst and second mounting bolts 440 and 442. First and second mountingbolts 440, 442 are inserted through aligned, vertically offset apertureswithin stripper bar 428, mounting support 430, and row unit structuralmember 432. First and second mounting bolts 440, 442 are coupled attheir respective lower ends to the row unit structural number 432 bymeans of the combination of a first nut 444 and a first tapered bushing,or washer, 448 and a second nut 446 and a second tapered busing 450.First and second mounting bolts 440, 442 are provided with respectivelower threaded portions 440 a and 442 a. First and second nuts 444 and446 are adapted for secure attachment to the respective lower threadedend portions 440 a and 442 a of the first and second mounting bolts 440,442. The upper end of each of the first and second mounting bolts 440,442 is adapted for secure engagement with the combination of a washer453 and a press fit coupler 452. While only one washer 453 and press fitcoupler 452 is shown in FIG. 23 for simplicity, the upper end of each ofthe mounting bolts 440, 442 is adapted to receive a respectivecombination of a washer and press fit coupler as shown by arrows 454 and454 b in the figure. Each of the press fit couplers 452 is preferablycomprised of metal or a high strength plastic and securely attaches theupper end of a respective mounting bolt to stripper bar 428.

The action of a pair of spaced rotating spiral stalk rollers disposedbelow a pair of closely spaced stripper bars causes the corn plants tobe intermittently pulled down between the pair of spaced stripper bars,where one of these stripper bars is shown as stripper bar 428 shown inFIG. 23. Thus, the severed corn stalks are pulled down between stripperbar 428 and another matched stripper bar disposed in closely spacedrelation to stripper bar 428, with the ears of corn engaged by theclosely spaced stripper bars so as to separate the ears of corn from theremaining portion of the corn stalk. This intermittent downward pullingaction on the corn stalks and the stripper bars causes the stripperbars, such as stripper bar 428 shown in FIG. 23, to be intermittentlydisplaced downwardly in the downward direction of bi-directional arrow260. The compressible nature of mounting support 430 allows for thedownward displacement of stripper bar 428. Mounting support 430 is alsoresilient and upon removal of the intermittent downward force applied tothe stripper bar as the corn stalks are pulled below the stripper bars,the resiliency of mounting support results in an upward displacement ofstripper bar 428 (and its associated closely spaced stripper bar) in theupward direction of bi-directional arrow 260 so as to resume its initialposition within the corn head.

As shown in FIG. 23, the first and second mounting bolt 440 and 442 areoriented at an angle α relative to the plane of stripper bar 428. Withdotted line 456 representing the plane of the stripper bars, and withdotted line 458 representing the axial orientation of the first andsecond mounting bolts 440, 442, it can be seen that an acute angle α isformed between the plane of the stripper bar and the axial alignment ofthe first and second mounting bolts 440, 442. The reciprocating motionof stripper bar 428 in the directions of bi-directional arrow 260 causesthe plural spaced, inclined notches 428 on the upper surface of thestripper bar to displace the ears of corn in the direction of arrows 262toward the combine's cross auger 434 for removing the kernels of cornfrom the cob portion of the plant. This repetitive up and down andforward-back motion of the stripper bars allows the stripper bars tofunction as a conveyor for the rearward displacement of the ears of corntoward the combine's cross auger 434.

The first and second mounting bolts 440, 442 are inserted throughrespective vertically offset, aligned apertures within the stripper bar428 and row unit structural number 432. The first and second taperedbushings 448 and 450 respectively disposed about the first and secondmounting bolts 440, 442 maintain the vertically offset orientation ofeach of the mounting bolts which ensures that during a downwarddisplacement of the stripper bar 428, the stripper bar moves downwardlyand leftwardly as shown in FIG. 23. When the downward intermittent forceis removed from stripper bar 428, mounting support 430 is allowed toexpand to its original shape and size and the stripper bar and the earsof corn disposed on its upper surface are moved upwardly and rightwardlytoward cross auger 434 as shown in FIG. 23. The spaced, inclined notches428 a in the upper surface of stripper bar 428 ensure the rightwarddisplacement of the ears of corn toward the combine's cross auger 434.

Referring to FIG. 24, there is shown another embodiment of a transportmechanism 470 for moving ears of corn rightwardly toward the combine'scross auger 478 in accordance with the present invention. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 24, first and second mounting bolts 480, 482are inserted through vertically offset, aligned apertures within anupper stripper bar 472 and a lower row unit structural number 476. Eachof the first and second mounting bolts 480, 482 is further insertedthrough spaced apertures within a compressible, resilient mountingsupport 474 disposed between the upper stripper plate 472 and the lowerrow unit structural number 476. The apertures within upper stripperplate 472, mounting support 474 and lower row unit structural member 476are aligned with one another in a vertically offset manner so that eachof the mounting bolts are disposed in an inclined orientation relativeto vertical. The upper surface of stripper bar 472 is irregular innature and may include plural spaced, inclined notches 472 a as shown indotted line form in FIG. 24. The notched portion 472 a of stripper bar472 extends only over an inner portion of the stripper bar in facingrelation to a second stripper bar which is not shown in FIG. 24, but isdescribed above as well in the following description.

Each of the first and second mounting bolts 480, 482 has a respectivethreaded lower end portion 480 a and 482 a. Attached to the lower endthreaded end portions 480 a, 482 a of the first and second mountingbolts 480, 482 are first and second lock nuts 488 and 490. Each of thelock nuts 488, 490 is attached to the respective lower threaded ends ofthe first and second mounting bolts 480, 482 in a locked manner, andincludes a respective upper curved, or convex, surface which engages alower surface of the row unit structural number 476. Each upper end ofthe first and second mounting bolts 480, 482 includes a respective bolthead 480 b, 482 b. Disposed between and engaging the upper surface ofstripper bar 472 and first bolt head 480 b and second bolt head 482 bare first and second tapered bushings 484, 486 respectively. Each of thefirst and second tapered bushings 484, 486 is preferably comprised of ahigh strength, durable plastic for reducing wear on the stripper plate472 as well as on the first and second mounting bolts 480, 482. Thetapered configuration of the first and second bushings 484, 486 as wellas the vertically offset alignment of the bolt receiving apertures inthe upper stripper plate 472, mounting support 474 and lower row unitstructural number 476 maintain the mounting bolts 480, 482 in verticallyoffset, parallel alignment as shown in FIG. 24. Downward displacement ofstripper bar 472 as described above results in compression of thecompressible, resilient mounting support 474, as well as leftwarddisplacement of the stripper bar because of the vertically offsetalignment of the mounting bolts 480, 482. Upon removal of the downwardforce with the displacement of the plant residue between the adjacentstripper bars, the compressible, resilient mounting support 474 urgesstripper bar 472 in an upward, rightward direction. This upward,rightward displacement of stripper bar 472 causes its notched upperportion 472 a to displace ears of corn disposed on the stripper bar in arightward direction toward the combine's cross auger 478 for deposit ofears of corn onto the cross auger. The upper curved portions of thefirst and second lock nuts 488, 490 allow for limited rotationaldisplacement of the first and second mounting bolts 480, 482 during thedownward and upward displacement of stripper bar 472 and reduce wear onthe lower surface of the row unit structural member 476. Rocker washersmay also be used in place of the curvilinear lock nuts.

Referring to FIG. 25, there is shown a front plan view shown partiallyin section of a stalk roll arrangement 491 incorporating a pair ofcompressible, resilient mounting supports 520 and 522 in accordance withthis embodiment of the present invention. The stalk roll arrangement 491is disposed within a row divider housing which is attached to a forwardportion of a combine (now shown) and which includes a first portion ofthe row divider housing 536 and a second portion of the row dividerhousing 538. Only the upper portion of the row divider housing is shownin FIG. 25 for simplicity. The stalk roll arrangement 491 furtherincludes first and second spiral stalk rollers 492 and 494 respectivelyrotating in the directions of arrows 524 and 526. The stalk rollarrangement 491 further includes first and second stripper bars 496 and498 as well as first and second row unit structural members 500 and 502in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention. Firststripper bar 496 is mounted to a first row unit structural member 500 bymeans of first and second mounting bolts 504 and 506. Similarly, secondstripper bar 498 is mounted to a second row unit structural member 502by means of third and fourth mounting bolts 508 and 510. Securelycoupled to each of the first through fourth mounting bolts 504, 506, 508and 510 are respective nuts 512, 514, 516 and 518. Disposed between eachof the aforementioned nuts 512, 514, 516 and 518 and the first or secondstripper bars 496 498 is a respective tapered bushing 513, 515, 517 and519. Each of the four tapered bushings 513, 515, 517 and 519 is similarin configuration and function to tapered bushings 484 and 486 describedabove in terms of FIG. 24. Disposed on an upper, inner surface of thefirst stripper bar 496 is a notched portion 496 a, while disposed on anupper, inner portion of the second stripper bar 498 is a similar uppernotched portion 498 a. Each of the upper notched portions 496 a and 498a is similar in configuration and function to the notched portions ofthe stripper bars described above in terms of FIGS. 23 and 24. Disposedbetween the first stripper bar 496 and the first row unit structuralmember 500 is a first compressible, resilient mounting support 520,while disposed between the second stripper bar 498 and the second rowunit structural member 502 is a second compressible, resilient mountingsupport 522. Each of the first and second compressible, resilientmounting supports 520, 522 is similar in configuration and function tothe compressible, resilient mounting supports illustrated in FIGS. 23and 24 and described in detail above.

Threadably attached to an outer portion of the first stripper bar 496 isa first positioning bolt 528. Similarly, threadably attached to an outerportion of the second stripper bar 498 is a second positioning bolt 530.The first and second positioning bolts 528 and 530 threadably engagefixed upward extensions 500 a and 502 a of the first and second row unitstructural members 500 and 502. The threaded end portion of the firstpositioning bolt 528 is coupled to the first stripper bar 496 as well asto the first compressible, resilient mounting support 520. Similarly,the threaded end portion of the second positioning bolt 530 is coupledto the second stripper bar 498 as well as to the second compressible,resilient mounting support 522. Rotation of the first and secondpositioning bolts 528, 530 in a first direction causes inwarddisplacement of the first and second stripper bars 496, 498 as well asthe first and second compressible, resilient mounting supports 520, 522toward the first and second spiral stalk rollers 492 and 494. Similarly,rotation of the first and second positioning bolts 528, 530 in a second,opposed direction results in displacement of first and second stripperbars 496, 498 as well as the first and second compressible, resilientmounting supports 520, 522 in a direction away from the first and secondspiral stalk rollers 494 and 496. In this manner, the first and secondstripper bars 496, 498 as well as the first and second compressible,resilient mounting supports 520, 522 may be moved toward one another oraway from one another to change the gap, or spacing, 548 between thefirst and second stripper bars depending upon crop harvestingconditions.

Attached to inner surfaces of the adjacent first and second portions ofthe row divider housing 536, 538 by means of respective mounting bolts544 and 546 are first and second ear of corn retainers 540 and 542. Earretainers 540, 542 prevent ears of corn stripped from the corn stalksfrom falling forward from the space between and above inner portions ofthe first and second stripper bars 496, 498 back onto the field. Firstand second ear retainers 540, 542 are similar in configuration andfunction to the ear retainers illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 anddescribed in detail above.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in therelevant arts that changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aimin the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modificationsthat fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The mattersset forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings isoffered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. The actualscope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claimswhen viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.

1. A row unit for use in a corn head attached to a combine, said rowunit comprising: first and second cylindrical rotating stalk rollslaterally disposed in closely spaced relation to one another, whereineach stalk roll has an input end for receiving corn stalks and anopposed output end and said stalk rolls rotate in opposite directions,and wherein each stalk roll includes outer spiral fluting extendingoutwardly from and along at least a portion of the length of said stalkroll, wherein said outer fluting includes first portions extendinggenerally parallel to a longitudinal rotational axis of said stalk rolland second portions extending at an angle to said axis, wherein saidsecond portions of said fluting are oriented at an inclined anglerelative to the longitudinal axis of its associated stalk roll and saidfirst and second portions are arranged in an alternating manner in thefluting, and wherein said first and second portions of the fluting aregenerally flat and curvilinear, respectively, and wherein the generallyflat first portions of the fluting each include a respective sharpeneddistal edge portion to facilitate reduction of the plant residue tosmall pieces, and wherein said outer fluting is in the form of a thin,sheet-like material extending generally radially from a lateral outersurface of a stalk roll, wherein rotation of said stalk rolls positionsharvested corn plants above and intermediate said first and second stalkrolls; a stripper arrangement disposed above said first and second stalkrolls for receiving corn plants and separating ears of corn from plantresidue; wherein the first portions of said fluting reduce and displacethe crop residue to a space between said stalk rolls for discharge fromthe combine and the second portions of said outer fluting direct ears ofcorn from the input end to the output end of the stalk rolls and to thecombine; first and second corn plant pick-up cones respectively disposedadjacent the inlet ends of said first and second stalk rolls, whereineach of said first and second pick-up cones includes respective spiralouter fluting disposed on the pick-up cone's outer surface; and a drivemechanism coupled to said first and second stalk rolls and to said firstand second pick-up cones for rotationally displacing said stalk rollsand pick-up cones, wherein said drive mechanism includes plural gearsand first and second coaxial drive shafts respectively coupling saidfirst stalk roll and said first pick-up cone to said gears and third andfourth coaxial drive shafts respectively coupling said second stalk rolland said second pick-up cone to said gears for rotating said first stalkroll and said first pick-up cone in opposite directions and said secondstalk roll and said second pick-up cone in opposite directions.
 2. Therow unit of claim 1, wherein each of said stalk rolls includes pluralouter spiral fluting disposed in a spaced manner about a lateral, outersurface of said stalk roll.
 3. The row unit of claim 2, wherein each ofsaid stalk rolls includes first and second outer fluting disposed onopposed portions of the lateral outer surface of the stalk roll.
 4. Therow unit of claim 2, wherein each of said stalk rolls includesrespective first and second outer fluting, where said first and secondouter fluting are disposed approximately 180° from each other about thelateral outer surface of the stalk roll.
 5. The row unit of claim 1,wherein said first and second portions of said fluting are disposed inan alternating manner on the lateral outer surface of the stalk roll. 6.The row unit of claim 1, wherein said thin, sheet-like material iscomprised of a hard, high-strength metal.
 7. The row unit of claim 1,wherein said thin, sheet-like material is comprised of a hard,high-strength plastic.
 8. The row unit of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond portions of said first and second flutings are in mutualalignment about the outer peripheral portions of said first and secondstalk rolls.
 9. The row unit of claim 1 wherein the outer fluting ofsaid first and second pick-up cones are arranged in opposite directions.10. The row unit of claim 1 further comprising first and second skidplates respectively disposed in closely spaced relation to said firstand second pick-up cones for protecting said pick-up cones from impactdamage and preventing clogging of the pick-up cones and their associatedstalk rolls by vegetation.
 11. The row unit of claim 10, wherein eachskid plate is disposed adjacent a lower, forward portion of a respectiveone of said pick-up cones.
 12. The row unit of claim 11, wherein eachpick-up cone includes a respective forwardly directed, pointed portion,and wherein each skid plate is further disposed adjacent the pointedforward portion of its associated pick-up cone.
 13. The row unit ofclaim 10 further comprising a mounting mechanism for positioning each ofsaid skid plates adjacent a respective one of said pick-up cones in anadjustable manner to allow for changing the spacing between a skid plateand a respective one of said pick-up cones.
 14. The row unit of claim 1further comprising a drive arrangement including a first gear and firstdrive shaft combination coupled to said first stalk roll and a secondgear and second drive shaft combination coupled to said second stalkroll for rotationally displacing said stalk rolls.
 15. A row unit foruse in a corn head attached to a combine, said row unit comprising:first and second cylindrical rotating stalk rolls laterally disposed inclosely spaced relation to one another, wherein each stalk roll has anintake end for receiving corn stalks and an opposed outlet end and saidstalk rolls rotate in opposite directions, and wherein each stalk rollincludes plural spaced fluting members disposed about the outercircumference and extending at least a portion of the length of eachstalk roll, and wherein said fluting members are configured and orientedto displace ears of corn from the stalk roll's intake end toward itsoutlet end and to the combine, and wherein each fluting member extendsoutwardly from its associated stalk roll and includes first portionsextending generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said stalk rolland second portions oriented at an inclined angle relative to alongitudinal axis of its associated stalk roll and said first and secondportions are arranged in an alternating manner in the fluting, andwherein said first and second portions of the fluting are generallystraight and curvilinear, respectively, and said generally straightfirst portions of the fluting include sharpened distal edge portions tofacilitate reduction of the plant residue to small pieces and saidfluting is in the form of a thin, sheet-like material extendinggenerally radially outwardly from a lateral outer surface of a stalkroll, wherein rotation of said stalk rolls positions harvested cornplants below and intermediate said first and second stalk rolls; firstand second corn plant pick-up cones respectively disposed adjacent tothe inlet ends of said first and second stalk rolls; a drive mechanismcoupled to said first and second stalk rolls and to said first andsecond pick-up cones for rotationally displacing said stalk rolls andpick-up cones, wherein said drive mechanism includes plural gears andfirst and second coaxial drive shafts respectively coupling said firststalk roll and said first pick-up cone to said gears and third andfourth coaxial drive shafts respectively coupling said second stalk rolland said second pick-up cone to said gears for rotating said first stalkroll and said first pick-up cone in opposite directions and said secondstalk roll and said second pick-up cone in opposite directions; andfirst and second fixed stripper plates respectively disposed in closelyspaced relation to lower portions of said first and second stalk rollsfor removing ingested vegetation from and preventing clogging of saidstalk rolls.
 16. The row unit of claim 15, wherein each knife endportion of a fluting member is formed by a generally flat portion of thefluting member.
 17. The row unit of claim 15, wherein said plural spacedfluting members are each configured in a spiral pattern about the outercircumference of each of said first and second stalk rolls.
 18. The rowunit of claim 15, wherein each of said fluting members is curved inshape and is comprised of a single piece of high strength metal.
 19. Therow unit of claim 15, further comprising third and fourth stripperplates respectively disposed above and in closely spaced relation tosaid first and second stalk rolls for separating ears of corn from plantresidue.
 20. The row unit of claim 15, wherein said first and secondstripper plates include respective skid bar portions disposed below andadjacent said first and second pick-up cones for protecting said pick-upcones from impact damage from obstructions in a field.